An ambitious restaurant in a landmark building with a large terrace overlooking the Thames opens this weekend beside Richmond Bridge in leafy southwest London.
Tower House, from the team behind Gold in Notting Hill, promises ‘modern Mediterranean food with old-world Italian roots reminiscent of home, in a spirit of relaxed care and warmth’. It is open for walk-ins from Saturday 15 November, with bookings from 1 December.
The restaurant has taken over the premises of a former Pitcher & Piano, a grand Victorian building complete with a distinctive Italianate campanile. Originally a private home, its design was inspired by Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s royal residence on the Isle of Wight – which was itself modelled on an Italian palazzo.
The interior has been rebooted to feature a central open kitchen, a glass-walled dining room and an elevated garden terrace offering views of Richmond and Twickenham bridges. There is also a stand-alone bar for wine and cocktails.
Tower House is from the team behind vibey Notting Hill hangout Gold – nightclub entrepreneur Nick House, who made his name with Whisky Mist and Mahiki, and executive chef Theo Hill, formerly of the River Café.
Describing his culinary approach at the new venue, Theo says: “We simply wish to show as much consideration as we possibly can towards the best produce available. The aim is always to cook with fire in an unforced and harmonious way, which allows the ingredients to speak for themselves.
“Our aim is simple: to honour the farms from one season to the next and pursue a minimal intervention cooking process that pays homage to the quality of the ingredients and spontaneity in our cooking style. Whether it’s a plate of grilled monkfish, fried rabbit, or insalata verde, our food is like a collection of stories that arrive at your table.“
